After the release of Amazon's successful e-book reader, Kindle, mobile and desktop applications came along with it to help expand the Kindle e-book platform. Amazon's latest plans include creating a tablet-specific version of their Kindle reader, much like what was done by the company on Apple's iPad.
On Tuesday Amazon explained in a press release that "new tablet computers coming in 2011 will have access to Amazon's free "Buy Once, Read Everywhere" apps that let readers choose from over 775,000 Kindle books and read them across the most popular devices and platforms." These new Kindle applications will join the collection that exist currently on the Kindle itself, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, Mac, PC, BlackBerry, and Android phones, all offered for free.
While Amazon's open arms to new tablets are nice, the most interesting part is that they specifically mention "that Kindle apps will also be tailored specifically for Android and Windows based tablets to enable customers to access the Kindle Store." As of the publication of the press release, Microsoft has not announced officially that there will even be a Windows-based tablet, despite many rumors claiming Ballmer will demo one, and that Windows for ARM chips will be displayed as well.
Amazon's Kindle announcement on the eve of the Consumer Electronics Show essentially confirms that there will be a Windows-based tablet making an appearance on Wednesday. The internet marketplace giant may have let the confirmation of a tablet sneak out just a tad early, but it is all good news at any rate.
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